“Washed Away the Filth”

Brant Gardner

Verse 3 reiterates the comfort given to the righteous in 2 Nephi 13:10. In spite of the destruction of Jerusalem, the righteous should take comfort for their faith will be rewarded. It should not be supposed that those who survive will therefore be righteous, but rather that their survival is as a result of their righteousness. The Lord will be with them and be their protection in the midst of this destruction.

Literary analysis: Verse 4 equates the destruction with a washing. The destruction will have "washed away the filth." The phrase "daughters of Zion" has two functions. On a literary level it highlights chapter 13:16-24 which specifically mentioned women. However, on a larger scale, it is the part standing for the whole. The cleansing of the women stands for the cleansing of all of Israel.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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